Page 160 of Wife After Wife
Someone at the back of the lift snorted.
Caitlyn stared straight ahead but could feel the first woman’s eyes boring into her.
“You were never really married to him, you know. He’s still married to my mother in the eyes of God.”
Caitlyn turned in surprise. Now she remembered Harry saying his eldest daughter worked at Rose. “Maria?”
The lift doors opened, and Maria strode out without a backward glance.
“Take no notice, she’s a nutter,” said the woman in black. “I’m Terri, editor of theRack. I’d love to interview you, Caitlyn, but that probably wouldn’t sit too well with him upstairs. When it’s all calmed the fuck down, I’ll buy you lunch.”
The lift stopped twice more, and then only the three of them were left.
“You messed up, but who doesn’t?” said Terri. “Let’s just say our Harry’s not exactly whiter than white when it comes to fidelity in marriage. A certain stench of hypocrisy. This is my floor. Here, take my card. Call me sometime.”
The doors opened, letting in a burst of sound from the offices beyond, before shutting again.
The carpets on the top floor were thicker, the secretaries shinier. There was a reception desk with an elaborate display of red roses.
“Wait here,” said Tina, and then she left.
A woman with enormous eyes and a long plait said, “Can I help you?”
“I’m here to see Mr. Rose.”
“Please take a seat. Can I get you a coffee?”
At least this one wasn’t hating on her. “I’d like a glass of water, please.” She could still taste the bile.
She picked up a copy ofHooray!but put it down again, as her hands were visibly shaking.Breathe, she told herself.It’s Harry you’re seeing. Kind, safe Harry. Your husband.
The receptionist handed over the water. “Follow me, please.”
She led her to a meeting room, and Caitlyn’s stomach twisted as she spotted Harry, standing behind a man with slicked-back dark hair seated at a long table.
Harry only glanced at her before taking a seat beside the other man. Then he fixed his gaze out of the window, his expression stony.
Caitlyn’s heart plummeted.
“Do sit down,” said the man. “I’m Tom Cranwell.” He didn’t offer his hand.
Wordlessly, she took a seat opposite them.
“Harry?” said Tom.
“Deal with it, Tom,” he said, still looking out the window.
“Right. Caitlyn, I assume you know why you’re here?”
“I... I thought Harry might be willing to give me another chance?” She looked over at him, but he didn’t move his head. “Harry?”
“Now why would you think that,” said Tom, “when you’re attempting to blackmail my client?”
Her gaze snapped back to Tom. “Blackmail? What do you mean?”
The men were silent.
“You mean the lump-sum thing? I thoughtyouwere going to say how much that was. It was your idea.”
